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Program Policies

Updated May 2023

These policies apply to Woodcock’s youth programs such as After School, Enrichment and Mommy & Me.
(Click here for Birthday Party policies. Click here for Summer Camp Policies.)

Please register carefully. Woodcock does not issue refunds.

All policies are subject to change without notice.

Our Shared Commitment

We are committed to keeping you, your child and our staff safe while at Woodcock. We’re counting on your partnership to help protect our staff, program participants and our community. Please consider the behaviors of your family when not at Woodcock and follow the guidelines provided by our state and local authorities. 

Behavior

Good behavior is expected of all participants. We reserve the right to remove any child whose behavior may pose a danger to the health or safety of others. Setting expectations with your child can make a big difference. Parents and caregivers that attend programs are asked to participate in monitoring their child's behavior. This includes modeling appropriate behavior such as staying on the trail, staying with the group, and not talking loudly on phone calls during a program.

Drop-off & Pick-up: After School and Enrichment Program

Parents and siblings must remain in the car at all times (except to assist young campers with seat belts). Parents will pull up to the designated drop off point and wait for Staff to approach your vehicle to check-in you child. Children should not exit the car until greeted by Staff. Parents will pull up to a designated pick-up point and provide their child’s name to their designated group leader. Parents must provide, in advance, the names of approved adults designated to retrieve their child(ren) by emailing us. Parents wishing/needing to speak at length with staff will be directed to a parking spot and must remain in their vehicle unless instructed otherwise.

Medication

If your child has an allergy that requires medication (EpiPen, Benadryl, etc.) or Asthma that requires an inhaler, they will need to bring their medication(s) with them to their program. Paperwork will need to be submitted by a parent/guardian before the start of the program (Authorization for Administration of Medication and Individual Plan or Care). Contact our office to discuss and for the necessary forms.

Illness

Our top priority is health and safety. For participants experiencing any illness, they must be fever and symptom free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and healthy enough to participate in all activities before coming to a program. For any participant exposed to COVID-19 or testing positive for COVID-19 please follow CDC guidance on when they can participate in programs. We reserve the right to send your child home if there are any concerns related to COVID-19 or other contagious diseases. A designated indoor area will be reserved for any participants exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness during the program while they await emergent pickup. We ask that all caregivers plan to stay within a 30-mile radius of camp in case an emergency pickup is necessary.

Weather & Indoor Time

As always, we’ll be outside as much as possible. Time inside our buildings will be limited to bad weather, animal lessons, bathroom use, and emergency use. Use of our teaching tents and pavilion space will be utilized for certain activities such as opening meetings, crafts, and games. We won’t be canceling unless weather conditions are unsafe to be outdoors for prolonged periods of time (wind chill, low temps, heavy snow, excessive heat, thunderstorms, etc.). See further below for refund policies.

 

Dressing for Weather

Our educators may ask you about proper attire when you arrive for programs. We reserve the right to send your child home with you to change or to have you come pick your child up during the program if they are not properly dressed or a change of/additional clothing is needed. See our Dressing for Weather page for more information and tips on dressing appropriately.   

 

Refund Policies

We understand that plans change however, as a small non-profit organization, cancellations make it challenging for us to manage our enrollments and plan for programs. Refunds made by request are available up until 5 business days prior to the start of the program. Beyond that, no refunds will be given unless there is a wait-list and the spot can be filled. A processing fee will be deducted from all requested refunds, either $20 or 20% (whichever is less). We do not offer credits for programs/events.

Children can be transferred from their registered program to another age-appropriate program in the same season provided space is available and the program hasn’t begun yet. If Woodcock must cancel a program due to under-enrollment, registration fees will be refunded in full. There are no make-up days available for missed days due to illness, family obligations, etc. 

There will be no refunds for days canceled due to weather concerns however, where possible, for weekly occurring classes one make-up day per program may be scheduled (we are not able to offer 'make-up' days for school break programs or single event programs.) 

Cleanliness

High-touch surfaces, shared items and bathrooms will be disinfected regularly per CDC guidelines. Outdoor handwashing stations will also be available during summer programming. Dedicated handwashing breaks will be scheduled where appropriate.

Personal Hygiene

Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer. Educators will require participants to wash or sanitize after sneezing or coughing, before snack, after using the restroom, after touching animals, and throughout the program as necessary. No personal items or food are to be shared.

Sunblock and Bug Spray

Bug sprays and sunscreen must be applied at home and not during drop-off. You may send your child with their own bug spray and sunblock but they must be able to apply them independently and responsibly. Woodcock staff may not apply sunblock or bug spray to any child.

Snack

If your program leader indicates that it is appropriate to bring a snack, please send your child with food items that they can open and eat independently. Participants will be spaced 6ft. apart when eating. No personal items or food are to be shared. We are a nut-free facility. Please consider the environment when packing your snack!

Access to Facilities

Our administrative offices and the nature center will continue to be closed to the public. Please note that our bathrooms are only available to our participants and staff. 

Scholarships

Nature is for everyone! If your family is experiencing financial need, please visit our Scholarship page here and/or contact us at wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

Communications

We will keep in close contact with all registered families regarding any changes to programming. Director of Education Sarah Breznen can be reached directly only when afternoon programs are in session at (203) 731-9832. At all other times, please call the office at (203) 762-7280 or email wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

Disclaimer

All protocols, procedures and policies are subject to change.

Questions

Should you have additional questions please call (203) 762-7280 or email us at wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

 

Our Advisors

Camp Doctor: Meredith Renda, MD (Doctors' Pediatric)

Medical Advisor & Board Member: Jaimie Meyer, MD, MS, FACP (Infectious Disease Specialist, Yale Medicine)

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